The idea of a car rally lies roughly between the insane, exhilarated drive-through amidst public roads and the off-roading in the wildest of unknown terrains, each set out with its own share of breath-taking challenges. The concept of car rallying in India is hardly new, although it is being recognized as a popular recreational venture for motor enthusiasts now more than ever. There are plenty of car rallies in India that you can be a part of all through the year, each coming with its unique set of rules and/or qualification criteria that we will highlight along the way. While some rallies take place on a closed course, most are out on the open road in a variety of scenic and challenging locales.
If the mere idea of shifting gears and hitting the accelerator gets your adrenaline pumping, read on to get the latest dig on the top car rallies in India:
- Indian National Rally Championship
The MRF FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) is an elite rallying series. Closely monitored by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), it is based on a driver-co driver mechanism and scored on a point based system. It received the National Championship title status in 1988.
Eligibility – Indian drivers possessing Indian cars can participate in the INRC.
In Your Calendar – Round 1 commences in July.
- Conquer The Himalayas
If you are a child of the mountains, the Maruti Suzuki Raid De Himalayas will be right up your sleeve. Started in 1999, it is India’s toughest motorsport event and the world’s highest rally raid.
Eligibility – Open to professional as well as amateur motorsport lovers!
In Your Calendar – Entries open from April.
- Taking The Desert By Storm
The Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Car Rally takes you through the uncertain terrains of the Thar Desert, the rugged hills of the Aravalli range, and the infinitely vast expanse of the Rann of Kutch in extreme weather conditions, testing the limit of you and your machine.
Eligibility – Different competition categories require certain vehicle specifications.
In Your Calendar – Entries open in January. The event is generally conducted in April.
- The Indian Baja
The Indian Chapter of the coveted Baja Rally is also a qualifier for the prestigious Dakar Rally, considered one of the toughest in the world. This Dakar Challenge Qualifier runs through the sandy dunes of Rajasthan, covering a distance of over 400 km in 3 days in testing weather conditions.
Eligibility – A rigorous line up of checklists is available on their website.
In Your Calendar – Entries open in March. The event takes place in April.
- The Backwaters Charm
A part of the Maruti Suzuki National Superleague TSD Rally Championship, the Backwaters Rally is a call to motorsports lovers from all genres to test their mettle on road. Flagging off from the scenic Ooty in the Nilgiris, across Tamil Nadu, and through the dreamy backwaters of Kerala, this raid truly celebrates the joy of rallying.
Eligibility – Entry open to professionals and amateurs both.
In Your Calendar – This rally takes place in June.
Save the date, and get those wheels roaring!
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